Financial Stress; possible reason for suicide epidemic

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:42:08 -0500

http://www.financial-planning.com/news/practice_management/landmark-military-suicide-prevention-study-approved-by-congress-2691414-1.html

It is no secret that the lower ranks make very little money, and with a spouse deployed and the other possibly reeking havoc at home...seems like a viable reason. Any experience with troops losing it over financial crisis'? Our leaders need to study the findings of this research and use it to improve our military posture.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 18 at 2014 3:19 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:19:04 -0500

When we do risk assessments, finances is #3 on the list of questions to ask.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Dec 19 at 2014 4:52 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:52:25 -0500

Good on ya', SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, for bringing this thread into RallyPoint. As the article by Ann Marsh states and SFC Mark Merino mentions below, finances play a HUGE role in the stability of our service members and their families.
Project Sanctuary's partnership with First Command Financial Services, Inc. (including folks like Lt Col Peter Whelan, Lt Col James "Chainsaw" McCullough, and others) ensures we include our "Money Matters, Family Matters" segment in every one of our programs to help the well being of our service members and their families. First Command also offers pro bono financial services for our families for up to two years after each retreat.
We absolutely recognize the role financial stress plays in the lives of service members!

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Dec 23 at 2014 5:24 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 05:24:26 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member - well said. I've had to deal with this issue in reference to one of my Soldiers. Things got so bad, his security clearance was revoked. He's still trying to claw his way out of that hole. I can't fix if I don't know it's broken. Usually, by time I find out, the hole is deep and very wide. The trick is getting Soldiers to trust their 1SG/Cdr enough to confide in them so a plan can be put in place and executed before the problem blows way out of proportion.

Response by PFC Meg Meyer made May 15 at 2019 8:52 PM

PFC Meg Meyer — Wed, 15 May 2019 20:52:07 -0400

I sold them my life for 300 bucks a month and they couldn't even make the barracks safe.

Response by Debbie Gray made May 29 at 2019 11:08 AM

Debbie Gray — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:08:21 -0400

Affairs is a huge unaddressed area!!! Families destroyed! Y’all know what I’m talking about

Response by SP5 Raymond Phillips made May 30 at 2019 6:38 AM

SP5 Raymond Phillips — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:38:17 -0400

The most important missing benefit is the life insurance we cannot qualify for due to disability. The VA offers 40K max, most definitely not enough to ensure our families financial well being. Please call or write your Congressman and ask why we cannot join the active service life insurance- SGLI and have a benefit we freakin earned with our bodies and minds being torn up. 40K would not go far that is for sure, we should be able to get at least 400K. Raise hell Veterans !

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made May 30 at 2019 11:08 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Thu, 30 May 2019 11:08:43 -0400

From a clinical perspective the pathogenesis of suicide is multi-determined. Based on my research and experience the following are prominent: male gender, clinical depression, compacted grief, alcohol, the suicidal triad(hopeless, helpless, worthless). This is well known to clinicians, yet we are poor at predicting and protecting are combat vets especially.
Thanks for the article,
Rich